Your Startup Community

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly digs into the second principle of the Boulder Thesis: long term commitment. Most startup communities do not fail because they misunderstand entrepreneur led leadership. They fail because they underestimate time. Chris explains why startup communities behave like complex systems rather than complicated ones, and why that distinction changes ev...

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly breaks down the first principle of the Boulder Thesis: entrepreneurs must lead the startup community. It sounds simple. It is not. Chris unpacks why governments, universities, and economic developers, no matter how well-resourced or well-intentioned, cannot substitute for founder-led leadership. Drawing from his own experience in rooms full o...

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly challenges one of the most deeply held beliefs in startup culture: that raising capital is the same as building a company. Drawing from his recent Raleigh Durham Startup Week, where over 2,700 founders and community builders gathered, Chris unpacks why the answer founders give about what is blocking their progress reveals a much deeper proble...

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly explores one of the biggest leadership questions in startup communities: when should you evolve slowly, and when do you need a complete reset? Drawing from his four stage startup community maturity model, Chris breaks down how leadership, culture, and trust shape the long term health of a community. He explains why some communities need stead...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly reframes one of the most misunderstood ideas in entrepreneurship: networking. It is not about events, business cards, or getting access to the right institutions. It is about building real relationships with real people. Chris breaks down the common trap founders and community builders fall into, chasing logos instead of trust. He explains w...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly breaks down the real value of a great accelerator and why it has less to do with curriculum or capital and everything to do with network. A strong accelerator does not just connect founders to people. It surrounds them with a curated, relevant network of mentors, peers, and operators who understand the realities of early stage building. Chri...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of strong startup communities: role models. It is not just about capital, programs, or space. It is about people who make success feel real and possible, especially at the local level. Chris introduces the idea of the aspirational stack and explains why role models are the force that brings it t...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly unpacks one of the most common phrases in startup ecosystems: “founder friendly.” Almost everyone claims it. Far fewer actually practice it. Chris explains why real founder friendliness is not about branding or proximity to founders. It is about service. Listening first, making thoughtful introductions, sharing founder stories, and continuin...

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly asks a simple but critical question: are startups seen as normal or weird in your city? He explains why entrepreneurship is a social permission game and how small cultural signals shape whether founders step forward or stay quiet. From family reactions to media coverage to how leaders show up, culture quietly determines what grows. If you wan...

In this episode, Chris Heivly breaks down why startup ecosystems fail long before capital or infrastructure ever become the problem. It starts with culture. When startups are treated as weird, risky, or irresponsible, founders go quiet, support systems never form, and the best talent leaves. Chris unpacks how legitimacy, not hype, is what actually creates momentum. He introduces entrepreneurship a...

In this episode, Chris Heivly challenges one of the most persistent myths in startup community building: that a single unicorn can transform an entire ecosystem. He unpacks why chasing breakout companies is not just unrealistic, but actively harmful. A unicorn focused strategy narrows attention, sidelines early stage founders, and poisons the aspirational stack that healthy communities depend on....

In this episode, Chris Heivly digs into how founders quietly shape one another’s belief and momentum. He looks at the way confidence builds when you see someone just a step or two ahead and realize their progress is within reach. He also reflects on why openness matters in a community. When people share what they are learning instead of only their wins, it creates a clearer picture of what the jou...

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly explores why mentorship is one of the most influential forces in any startup community. He breaks down how true mentorship works in practice and why it is more about trust, consistency, and honest connection than formal structures or titles. Chris also explains why great mentorship benefits both sides and how it strengthens the relationships...

In this episode of  Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly explores one of the most misunderstood forces in ecosystem building: influence. Drawing from years of experience across startup communities around the world, Chris explains why the most impactful people in an ecosystem aren’t the ones with titles or budgets, but those who show up, connect others, and give first. He breaks down the five...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly unpacks one of the most common questions ecosystem leaders ask: “Where are we in our startup community journey?” Drawing from over 15 years of experience working with founders and city builders around the world, Chris introduces a simple four-stage framework for understanding ecosystem maturity: nascent, developing, emerging, and sustaining....

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly unpacks one of the most misunderstood truths about startup ecosystems: they are complex systems, not complicated systems. Drawing from systems theory and research from The Startup Community Way by Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway, Chris explains why treating communities like predictable engines leads to frustration and failure. Startup co...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly shares 11 hard-earned “community truths” gathered from more than 15 years of building startup communities across the globe. These aren’t tactics or five-year plans; they’re guiding principles that reveal what actually makes a startup scene thrive. From why comparing cities is a trap and why spaces are just tools (not solutions), to the diffe...

In this episode of Your Startup Community , Chris Heivly tackles a common but critical question: is there a difference between a startup community and an entrepreneurial ecosystem? The short answer, yes. The longer answer could shape the future of your city’s startup scene. Using vivid metaphors and lessons learned from building ecosystems across 20+ countries, Chris explains why thriving communit...

In the season two premiere of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly returns with a powerful reminder: startup scenes might get the headlines, but true communities build the future. Drawing from decades of experience and his work with ecosystems around the world, Chris breaks down what a startup community really is, and what it isn’t. He explores the four ingredients of real community (connection, t...

In the previous episode we tackled more of the concepts behind effective startup community measurement.  In this episode we discuss some groundbreaking work done by our guest and the insights gained by their measurement techniques that you too can adopt in your community’s journey. Join Brad, Ian and Chris as we have a very interesting discussion with Rhett Morris of Common Good Labs and form...

It is one of the most often asked questions for Chris, Brad and Ian. How do I measure progress? Our funders demand metrics so that they can determine whether their dollars are being allocated and are meeting their stated goals. But are startup communities like businesses with clear goals and related metrics? Join Brad, Ian and Chris as we have a very interesting discussion with Rhett Morris of Com...

It's been 1 full year since the release of their book, The Startup Community Way. We’ve been through and continue to struggle with the pandemic and how it is shifting the entrepreneur landscape. Chris has left Techstars and his Ecosystem Development role and is consulting, Ian is focusing more on research and angel investing and Brad has released 2 more books and writing a few new ones. Join Brad,...

More and more today, startup communities are rising to the top of city, state, regional and federal governments’ priority list as they realize that entrepreneurial economic development is a necessary component of their future economy. With that good news comes the challenge of developing an engagement strategy with entrepreneurs, investors, existing entrepreneurial support organizations, local cor...

Those of us who have been in business or government a long time develop fantastic muscles around strong management of which exhibiting a control over execution and outcomes is the standard fare. But startup communities are different and the very thing that you desire as a leader (a detailed plan, a flawless execution strategy and a clear set of goals) are the things that will hamper entrepreneuria...

I know all of you know the concept of networking, but this version is different and like many concepts is best discussed when we have something to compare the concept to.  And that is hierarchy. For this podcast, we are talking about community structures ~ how the community is connected, how members interact and most importantly the rules of engagement the community abides by. Older, more tra...